3D - 2

3D television question??

Why is that to watch 3D we need to buy a new 3D tv? Couldn't they make it so the image(that blurry double image) can be shown on any tv or is there something major im missing out on. It just seems a logical explanation but like i said am i missing out something major on how 3d works.

Public Comments

1. These new 3DTVs have something no other tv has ever had: 120hz inputs. Older 120hz tvs simply converted standard 60hz tv signals to 120hz as a way to smooth motion and improve the picture. Actual 120hz inputs are needed for the new 3DTVs because you need at least 60hz (120/2=60) per eye for a smooth 3D picture. 3DTVs use a technology called 'active-shutter' glasses. The glasses are electronic and have lcds in them that block out one eye while the tv displays the picture for the other eye. The glasses and tv alternate between each eye and your brain combines them into a complete 3D picture. This needs to happen very fast and that's why 120hz input(hz = cycles per second) is needed. The old analog tvs could only display an inferior type of 3d technology called anaglyph. That's the red/blue cardboard glasses type of 3d and it only barely worked.
2. The "blurry double" image in cinema 3D is watchable either by color tinted glasses or polarized glasses. The color tint option would theoretically work on a TV screen, but then you're left with a color tinted picture. And you can't control light polarization from an LCD or plasma screen. That leaves the new active shutter technology being rolled out this year, and only an active shutter-equipped TV will make it work.